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Career Enhancement and Electives

Please note: Career enhancement courses are open for all to register. You do not have to be enrolled in a specific program to register for a career enhancement/elective course.
Mississippi Certified Public Manager Program (CPM)
Compassion Fatigue

Everyone is not OK but back at work anyway. In this session we look at the history, symptoms of, relevance of, and coping methods for compassion fatigue in public employees. Employees are going into performance reviews, brainstorming sessions and the office with all kinds of grief. Small problems feel large. Large problems feel colossal. And with mental health care hard to obtain, workers are trying to fill the gaps.
Objectives:
•    Identify the signs, symptoms and practice areas where compassion fatigue can occur.
•    Describe the challenges associated with identifying, preventing, and managing compassion fatigue.
•    Describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to compassion fatigue.
•    Discuss a plan to mitigate compassion fatigue as the COVID-19 pandemic continues
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Consciously Overcoming Unconscious Bias

Successful completion of this course will increase your ability to do the following:
•    Understand the nature and origins of implicit/unconscious bias. 
•    Recognize the ways that implicit/unconscious bias can lead to unfair or harmful decisions and actions in the workplace.
•    Identify ways to effectively address situations where unconscious bias has had a negative impact.
•    Discover strategies to ensure decisions and actions are equitable and objective.

CPM Project Workshop

How do you choose a project topic? Does your idea relate to your current job responsibilities or to your ideas for the improvement of services in the workplace? Does your idea relate to the information, theories, models, and principles you have learned in the MCPM training sessions? In this class, we discuss the procedures for the CPM projects and give one-on-one feedback on your ideas to help ensure the successful completion of your project.
Objectives:
•    Understand the mechanics of writing a Level 3 CPM Project Proposal and Project Report
•    To discuss/explore potential topics
•    Leave with confidence in completing your Level 3 CPM Project Proposal and Project Report
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Creating Your Own Personal Brand

Creating Your Own Personal Brand encompasses a worker’s behavior, appearance, and workplace ethics. Employees who have high standards of professionalism are frequently perceived as being more credible and reliable than their coworkers. As a result, these employees are frequently regarded as their company’s leaders. With the workplace more and more competitive, this course is designed to train employees on how to showcase themselves and stand out among the crowd. 
Objectives:
•    Understand the impact of cultural influences from the 19th century to present day
•    Learn how generational influences introduce stereotypes and how to break through the stereotypical mindset
•    Gain insight into personal branding, including professionalism, character, attitude, competency, and conduct
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Crucial Accountability

A culture with weak accountability is one where those who see problems say nothing because they assume they don’t have the authority or skills to raise a concern. This course teaches a straightforward, step-by-step process for identifying and resolving performance gaps, strengthening accountability, eliminating inconsistency, and reducing resentment. 
The course teaches participants how to:
• Hold anyone accountable, regardless of the person’s power, position, or temperament
• Motivate others and permanently resolve problems without using power, by clearly and concisely explaining specific, natural consequences
• Manage projects without taking over by creatively helping others avoid excuses
• Keep projects on track and resolve performance barriers
• Move to action by agreeing on a plan, following up, engaging in good reporting
practices, and managing new expectations
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit for Crucial Conversations® graduates
HRCP participants should not take this class since it is part of the HRCP curriculum. 

Crucial Conversations

When experiencing strained relationships and undesirable results, it’s likely that a “crucial conversation” is needed to get things on track. This highly interactive course teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or sensitive topics – at all levels of the organization. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), you’ll surface the best ideas and make high-quality decisions.
Objectives:
•   Speak persuasively, not abrasively
•   Foster teamwork and better decision making
•   Build acceptance rather than resistance
•   Resolve individual and group disagreements
Participant materials provided as part of the course include:
•   Participant workbook
•   Cue cards for each lesson, in a desktop display case
•   The Crucial Conversations Model card
•   A copy of the NY Times bestselling book, Crucial Conversations
•   The Crucial Conversations Audio Companion
•   A course completion certificate
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
2 Hours CPM Elective Credit
HRCP participants should not take this class since it is part of the HRCP curriculum.

Defending Personnel Decisions before the EAB and EEOC

With the EEOC reporting an ever-increasing number of workplace harassment complaints, it is more important than ever for agency personnel to know how to handle complaints. Employers have a legal duty to promptly and thoroughly investigate complaints of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation that occur in the workplace.  This course will review:

  • The MSPB grievance procedure and best practices for effectively responding to a grievance 
  • The jurisdiction and rules of the EAB
  • Best practices in the EAB hearing process
  • Best practices in the EEOC mediation, investigation, and agency response process 
  • The EEOC Determination and litigation.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, 
Those who manage people, projects, or programs, or
Human Resources professionals
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Demonstrating Adaptability for Success

Adaptability is a critical skill in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing workplace. This course is designed to help professionals navigate change with confidence and flexibility. Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and practical exercises, participants will explore the science of adaptability, identify personal and organizational barriers to change, and learn strategies to stay resilient and resourceful in uncertain environments. By the end of the course, attendees will have actionable tools and a personalized plan to build adaptability, empowering them to embrace challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive in dynamic work settings.

Develop Your EQ: Emotional Quotient
Effective Communication

Communication is often taken for granted; after all, it is something we do on a daily basis. However, it is one of the most important aspects of your life and touches on all areas of your career, home life, friendships, relationships as well as interactions to total strangers.

Objectives:

  • Understand communication styles
  • Methods to getting your message across
  • Understanding others views
  • Managing criticism
  • Putting into practice

TARGET AUDIENCE: All employees

6 Hours CPM Elective Credit